Browning just a blue-collar guy in red and black

ATHENS - Tyson Browning authored one of the more electrifying plays in Mark Richt's five seasons as football coach at Georgia, turning a screen pass into a 93-yard touchdown at LSU in 2003.

The senior from Oconee County High School said blocking a Vanderbilt punt last Saturday was even better in his eyes.

"Actually, man, that's something that was more exciting to me," Browning said. "Since I was in high school we used to always try to block punts and I never could block a punt. We've been practicing out here and I never thought my number would be called for it."

Browning's number isn't called nearly as much as it used to be.

He went from starting against Tennessee and Florida two years ago to a role as a fourth-string tailback.

He returned a punt 72 yards for a touchdown last year against Georgia Southern but lost that job because of fumble issues.

What Browning hasn't lost is his perspective. He hasn't lost sight of the big picture as Thomas Brown, Danny Ware and Kregg Lumpkin passed him on the depth chart.

"Tyson has helped three young guys basically move ahead of him," Richt said. "He's helped them learn what to do and he's seen them basically take the playing time that would have been his, but he's not bitter with them. I don't think he's bitter with the staff. He's realizing that's part of life."

Especially when you play on the fourth-ranked team in the nation.

"You don't always get what you want so how are you going to handle it?" Richt said. "Are you going to have a sorry attitude and go in the tank or have a great attitude like he has and find ways to make a contribution to help this team win?"

Like on Saturday at Vanderbilt.

Georgia held a 27-17 lead late in the third quarter, when Browning ripped through the middle and got his hand on Bryant Hahnfeldt's kick deep in Vandy territory. Georgia ball at the Vandy 20. Three plays later, Georgia scored to make it 34-17.

"People were calling me on Saturday night and Sunday, saying, 'I didn't even know you could block punts,'" Browning said. "Or, 'I didn't even know you were on the punt return team.'"

Browning, actually, has been right there on the punt return team all season.

Browning blocked on punt returns last year after he was replaced as returner.

"It wasn't like he was off sulking or had a bad attitude," said assistant Jon Fabris, who runs that unit. "He went back to doing blue-collar work, the grunt work."

Browning is back as a returner again, this time on kickoffs.

He had his first returns of the season against Vanderbilt with three for 62 yards, a 20.7 average.

"To me he's always been one of the most dangerous players on our football team with the ball in his hands," Fabris said.

With the talent at running back now, Browning's work there is few and far between. He has seven carries for 41 yards.

"I think he's dealt with it great," Brown said. "He's done a wonderful job. Tyson is so talented he can do so many things for this team."